Pyrotechnical device



Nov. 21, 1933. M, ADLER 1,936,221

PYROTECHNICAL DEVICE Filed May 13, 1932 IN VEN TOR "40 explosions which may be of various colors.

Patented Nov. 21, 1933 1,936,221 rrao'rncnmoar. Device Milton M. Adler, Newark, I. Application May 1331932. Serial Ne. 161L110 8 Claims. (01. 162-20 This invention relates, generally, to pyrotechnical .devices or fireworks; and the inventionhas reference, more particularly, to a novel pyrotechnical' device that is set into the same and which adapted to be held in the hand of the user during the operation of the device.

Pyrotechnical' devices commonly known as sparklers have sticks or handles for holding the 10 same during use, and which, when ignited, produce a multiplicity of streamers or rays of light which project radially outwardly from the device, thereby forming a disk shaped flame extending at right angles to the stick por-' tion of the firework, and which flame moves slowly toward the handle as the firework is consumed.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a novel pyrotechnical device which differs from the sparkler type of firework in that the device of the present invention, though providing a handle adapted to be held by the user, yet produces, when ignited, an entirely difierent pyrotechnical efiect which consists in themeduction of a succession of multiple small gleaming projectiles which fly oif rapidly in all directions from the device and thereafter explode, producingbeautiful little lights at various points. 7

Another object of the-present invention lies in the provision of a novel pyrotechnical device comprising a stick or other suitable support having a portion of its length covered with a cylindrical layer of a pyrotechnical composition having a multiplicity of metallic granules or particles adhered to the outer surface thereof, which metallic granules during the ignition of the firework, are caused to fly off rapidly in an directions from the underlying-pyrot'echnical composition and thereafter burst into flame, producing Still another object of the present invention is to provide above character, wherein. the burningof the cylindrical layer of pyrotechnical' material is progressive froinone end of the layer to the other end thereof, the said burning consuming'an appreciable period of time which may be on the order of a minute or two, and as suchburning progresses, the metallic granules are continuously driven off in all directions to thereafter burst into flames with explosive effect, thereby producing continuously, small multiple explosions forfan appreciable time. x I Other objects or" thisinventiornnot at this time,

more particularly enumerated, will be clearly understood from the following. detailed descrip-' The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which: 6D Fig. 1 is a'perspective view illustrating the novel action by igniting provides a stick or handle" in all directions stick 6 while such composition is in a tiny;

a novel pyrotechnical device of the pyrotechnical device of the present invention in operation.

Fig. .2 is a view elevation of the novel pyrotechnical device; and

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 3-3 of Fig.2.

Similar characters of reference areemployed in all of the above described views, to indicate corresponding parts.

Referring now to said drawing, wherein the preferred embodiment of'the novel pyrotechincal device of the present reference numeral 5 designates the pyrotechnical deviceas a whole. Pyrotechnical device 5 consistsof a substantially rigid supporting'member or stick 6 which may bemade of wood or other suitable material.

technical composition which is applied to the plastic or pasty condition. This layer or coating of pyrotechnical composition may be applied to the stick 6 as by dipping the latter into a vessel containing the plastic pyrotechnical composition.

The pyrotechnical composition constituting the coating '7 is of such had an opportunity to' dry,and while the same is still in a plastic'condition, a quantity of metallic orunetallic alloy granules or particles 8 are sprayed uponthe exterior surface of the coating- 7.

The particles 8 in falling upon the coating 7,

embed themselves slightly in the plastic composi+ tion thereof, thereby becoming stuck thereto, and

tion of the stick 6 notcovered by the coating 7 i provides a, handle, whereby the device may be held in use. A r

A composition found highly proficient for use in forming the layer "7 of the pyrotechnical .de-

vice of the present invention consists in the user which are -mixed of theingredients listed below,

- together-in the following proportions, by weight:

g Parts, Barium nitrate 85 Strontium carbonate Kryolith 40 Potassium chlorateum 1 225 Dextrine; 30.

Shellac i' 55 The presence: of the barium nitrate and strontiurn carbonate ingredients in the composition causes the la'tterginuse, to burn with a whitishyellow 'flamawhich color of flame results from the, combination of the characteristic burning colors of these ingredients. These ingredients invention is illustrated, the 1 layer '7' of composition'and One end'portion of the stick I I Sis provided with a coating orlayer '7 of a pyroes a nature that the same will harden as it dries out, but before this layerhas ingredient (made will remain also serve as combustibles and combine with the oxygen given off by the potassium chlorate to thereby maintain the combustion. The kryolith by De Haem Co.) apparently serves as a flux and aids in obtaining uniform burning while the shellac and dextrine ingredients serve as binders.

In preparing the composition, the several ingredients in the proportions given above are thoroughly mixed together, and suflicient Water is added thereto toform a thick. paste or plastic material. The sticks 6 are dipped into this plastic material and then removed causing a layer 7 of the material to adhere to the sticks. While the layer 7 is'still plastic, the granules or particles 8 are sprayed thereon as by shaking sieves containing the granules 8 above the sticks 6 and while turning or rotating these sticks whichare pref-r erab'l'v held in horizontal positions during the spraying operation, so as to thereby cover the entire surface of the layer 7 with these granules. .As the layer 7 of composition dries out it hardens, thereby firmly uniting the granules '8 tothe surface portion of this layer.- The dried composition 7 is relatively hard and dense and is non-hygroscopic and keeps-well under variations of climatic conditions. is not subject to spontaneous combustion and properly operative for the purposes intended for an indefiniteperiod.

The granules 8 are preferably composed of rapid burning metallic alloys although pure metals such as magnesium or aluminum in some instances,

may be used. Alloys of magnesium and aluminum with metals of higher melting points are preferred to the pure metals, however, because such alloys, having higher melting points than these pure metals themselves, do not tend to melt too rapidly while in contact with gases to fly off in solid form and thereafter burn with explosive violence, as desired. Alloys of magnesium and copper oraluminum and copper have been found highly satisfactory for this puras especially shown in Fig. 1. glow somewhat as they move through the air,

j ules 8.'

therebyv creating the effect of a multiplicity of streamers moving rapidlyawayfrom the firework. After these granules have traveled to varying distances from the firework, they burst into flameor explode, thereby little, lights or whiffs of flame 9 of varying colors, depending upon the composition or compositions of the metallic alloys used inmaking the man a. The burning of the layer of composition '7 progresses slowly downthe stick 6 and as this burning continues, the glowing granules s are continuously "driven oil of the firework and thereafter burst into little flames producing a novel pyrotechnical effect. This display continues until the entire layer 7 This composition the burning composition '7 but. instead are caused by the generated As soon as the composition? commences producing beautiful of the compositionis con sumedwhich may take a minute or two or even longer, depending upon the length of this layer 7.

As many 'changescould be made in the above construction and many apparently widely different'embodiments of this invention could be made without departing fromthe scope thereof, as defined by the following claims,'it is intended that all'matter contained in the above description'or shown in the accompanying drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense' What is claimed is:

1. In a pyrotechnical. device of the character described, a body comprising, a combustible material, a binder, potassium chlorate as an oxidizing agent and kryolith. Y

2. In apyrotechnical device of the character described, a body comprising, terial, a binder, potassium chlorate as an oxidizing agent, kryolith, and metallic granules adhered to the surface of said body.

3. In a pyrotechnical device or the character described, a body comprising, barium nitrate as a combustible material, shellac sium'chlorate as an oxidizing agent andkryolith, and metallic granules adhered to the surface of said body, alloy. a

4. In apyrotechnical device of the character described, a body comprising, barium nitrate and strontium carbonate as combustible materials, shellac and dextrine as binders, potassium chlorate as anoxidizing agent and kryolith.

5. In a pyrotechnical device of the character described, a body comprising, barium nitrate and strontium carbonate as combustible material, shellac and dextrine as binders, potassiiun chlorate as an oxidizing agent, kryolith, and a multiplicity of ,metallic granules substantially cover ing and adhered to the surface of said body.

6. In a pyrotechnical device of the character described, a supporting stick, a pyrotechnical composition adhered to said stick in the form of a layer, and metallic granules or particles ad-v hered to the surfaceof said layer, said granules 1 ing agent and kryolith, and metallic granules adhered 'to the surfaceof said body, said metallic granules comprising an alloy of magnesium and copper. w

8. In a pyrotechnical device of the character described, abody having a multiplicity of metallic granulespartially embedded in the outer surface thereof, said body comprising a mixture of the herein named ingredients in approximate proportions by'weight as follows: a

Parts Barium nitrate; '85 Strontium carbonate 60 Kryolith 40 Potassium chlorate 225 Dextrine 30. Shellac i 55 MILTON M.

as a binder, potasa combustible masaid granules comprising a bimetallic 

